Rosemary 'Arp' is a cold hardy upright rosemary variety prized for its strong clean flavor and needle like aromatic foliage. Its tall woody stems and evergreen leaves make it an excellent structural herb in kitchen gardens and ornamental beds alike. Blooms with pale blue flowers in early summer that attract pollinators and provide culinary and sensory interest throughout the year.
Height & Spread: 36 - 48 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or gravelly soil
Watering Needs: Low once established; avoid overwatering
Deer Resistance: Strongly aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits
Native Status
Rosemary 'Arp' is a cultivar of Rosmarinus officinalis, native to the Mediterranean region. While not native to North America, it thrives in similar dry sunny conditions and is widely used in herb gardens.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Its light blue flowers are a magnet for honeybees and native bees, offering a valuable nectar source in spring.
Butterflies
- Draws various spring butterflies including Painted Ladies and Swallowtails looking for early nectar.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 24 - 36 in apart to allow for mature spread and airflow.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for herb spirals, raised beds, rock gardens, and as a sun loving evergreen accent in dry borders or edible landscapes.
Companion Plants
- Santolina chamaecyparissus (Lavender Cotton) - Silvery foliage and yellow button blooms contrast rosemary’s needle like texture.
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' - Aromatic lavender shares rosemary’s sun and soil preferences, creating a fragrant and drought-tolerant pairing.
- Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' - Ornamental sage with purple tinged foliage that harmonizes with rosemary in herb gardens.
- Thymus vulgaris (Common Thyme) - Compact herb that complements rosemary in both form and culinary uses thriving in similar dry soils.
- Origanum vulgare (Oregano) - Ground hugging culinary herb that spreads between rosemary plants and deters pests.